LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 13, 2021—Ed Allred’s Up The Ladder left the gate better than he has ever done in a stakes race and the result was a clear half-length victory in the $17,000 Dream A Secret Overnight Stakes on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

In his previous two stakes appearances, Up The Ladder was fifth and seventh out of the gate. He was third this time around and from there he took the lead at the midway point of the 350-yard race on the way to his third in six starts.

Ridden by Victor Salazar for trainer Scott Willoughby, the Kiddy Up gelding covered the distance in a good time of :17.77, while earning $9,350 for the win. The Allred-bred has now earned $23,430 in his juvenile year.

"We’ve been waiting to see him break on top," said Juan Carlos Chavez, the assistant trainer of the Willoughby stable. "He broke a little bit behind the leader but in the end he closed quickly. This was the victory we were hoping from this horse this evening. He was bumped in his last start (in the Autumn Handicap) and had some trouble in the middle of the race. He was victorious tonight because he nearly ran a perfect race."

Salazar was back aboard Up The Ladder and has now piloted him to all three of his victories.

"He’s had a tendency to go left after his starts," Salazar said. "I changed hands and he responded. I was maneuvering him a little bit and he responded. It was our turn tonight and so grateful to be a part of this team."

Noe Cano’s Woman Secrets, the winner of the Los Alamitos Claiming Futurity, finished a strong second. He earned 3,825 for his runner-up effort and has now made about $25,000 since Cano claimed him for $12,500 on the night of the Claiming Futurity. Roman Figueroa saddled the son of Separate Secrets. Jose Nicasio was up from post one.

Beduino Surprise, Flash N Corona, Budget Buster, Runaway Witch and Rayshas Kidd Trax completed the field.

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